497.7.a

Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.

Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.

Purpose

In your paper, you will review and include many of the areas you have studied in you degree program. Your paper should examine in detail many of the aspects of creating a great cybersecurity implementation. This examination needs to be comprehensive. So, while your umbrella topic is culture, you will need to address the topic in such a way as to demonstrate your mastery of all aspects of security such as tools, policies, governance, training, best practices, risk assessment, risk mitigation, and associated skill sets required. See the outcomes below. You do not need to directly address all of them in your paper, but considering and directly addressing a majority of them would be expected.

Assignment Instructions

Note: Research and topic definition for term paper due in Unit 10

View the Preview of your Final Project in the Looking Ahead section of this unit before proceeding.

Prepare a Word Document that contains the following:

1. A thesis statement (Clearly indicating the type as per example)

a. State your topic by way of a thesis statement.

b. Expand on the topic with a one paragraph explanation of what you hope to accomplish with your paper. Understanding the purpose of your writing is an important step in writing well.

2. A preliminary list of research references indicating your research

Important Note - In addition to the resources, listed below there are several important documents that will prove very useful to enterprising students.

NSTAC STF Report Final  PDF

Writing an Informative Essay  PDF

Writing a Critical Essay  PDF

Writing a Persuasive Essay  PDF

Theohary Rollings  Article

Conducting_Research  Article

The Thesis Statement:

Focus your thinking and topic selection around this main “Umbrella” topic: the role of organizational culture in successful cybersecurity implementation.

What will you like to write about? What has caught your attention or interest?

Select a topic you would like to write about. The topic will need to address any combination of material related to the course outcomes below. Specifically, italicized items are the more natural candidates for the umbrella topic, but all may apply in some instances.

· Identify current technical tools used to provide secure systems.

· Distinguish between tools and methodologies used to secure systems.

· Explain how particular tools are used in a situational context to help secure systems.

· Categorize the various security issues an organization might face.

· Prioritize potential security issues.

· Differentiate between the various levels of harm that might occur based on specific threats.

· Differentiate between various types of data and associated risk.

· Identify steps necessary to the design process.

· Investigate deficiencies in existing security measures.

· Assess the effectiveness of various security implementations and policies.

· Assess the role of culture in creating successful and sustainable cybersecurity implementations.

· Integrate new products into existing solution.

· Plan for emerging security threats.

· Formulate security solutions and policies based on best practices.

· Evaluate current security on a specific network.

· Determine inadequate security measures.

· Develop risk management policies.

Here are four examples you could use (marginally acceptable), or you can create your own (preferred):

These are provided for you guidance only, you will need to create your own. Developing your thesis statement in parallel with your research is best practice. As your research progresses, your thesis will become clearer.

· Thesis Type – Expository

The future of secure computing is found through the adoption of strong security governance and changing the culture or the organization. The widespread adoption of the underlying technologies and practices will allow new applications, new management approaches, and will change the way security has been done for the past 30 years.

· Thesis Type – Argumentative

The security concerns surrounding “cloud computing” will prevent and delay widespread adoption until better security protections are made available. Successful and sustainable cloud computing security is/is not impacted greatly by the culture of the organization.

· Thesis Type – Persuasive

You are the CISO of a distribution company with 2,000 employees. You are in charge of all company security for IT resources and activities. Your IT department is central to the operation of the company. You believe that your organization should be fully transitioning to a security culture with some haste. Your job is to do the following:

· Write an “executive briefing summary” in order to persuade the CEO and Board of Directors that your plan should be adopted.

· Your Thesis – “Now is the time to investigate and adopt a plan to create a security culture at our organization.”

· Thesis Type – Compare and contrast

Compare and contrast the characteristics, features, costs and benefits of developing and implementing a full security policy, governance and culture within your organization. Clearly demonstrate the differences between awareness, culture, and governance. Contrast this with an organization that ignores or downplays security.

The Reference List:

Begin your research. Organize it as you go!

Prepare a preliminary research reference list. It is recommended that for an 8 -10 page research paper you will require 10 - 15 items, including books, scholarly articles, websites, and other items.

The reference list does not need to be completed in APA format. It is expected that it is preliminary at this stage, and will in all likelihood change as you develop the paper. Items may be deleted, added, and changed as you write your paper. Maintaining this list as you progress will save you a lot of time at the end as your final reference list will be complete and you will only need to format it to APA style guidelines.

Assignment Requirements

Your paper should be 2–3 pages in length. It will include 10 – 15 research items, a thesis statement, and an explanatory paragraph.

Also, review the university policy on plagiarism. If you have any questions, please contact your professor.